An Institute of Technology student came home last week and discovered he had been burglarized while his two roommates were at home.
Minneapolis police responded early Wednesday morning to a burglary at Daniel Asleson’s residence in the 1200 block of Como Avenue.
One or more unknown suspects stole more than $7,000 in electronic equipment and other possessions from Asleson, who lives in the house with three roommates.
The theft was limited to only the main level of the three-level house, and only Asleson’s possessions were taken.
“The majority of stuff on the main floor, when it comes to stereo stuff, was mine,” Asleson said. “Bad luck.”
Though it wasn’t reported until 1 a.m. Wednesday, the burglary occurred between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, according to police reports.
Between these times, no one was on the main floor where the theft took place.
At around 9 p.m., two of Asleson’s roommates went to their rooms — located upstairs and downstairs — to study. When one of them returned to the main floor to write down a phone message, he noticed the back door propped open and a cable on the floor.
It wasn’t until Asleson returned home and attempted to watch television, however, that he noticed his stereo and other possessions missing.
The items stolen include a Yamaha receiver, compact disc player, a digital video player, four speakers, a Sony Playstation and an electric guitar.
“I’m pretty pissed,” Asleson said. “I just got renter’s insurance this summer, so I kind of lucked out. I guess that’s good.”
Neither of Asleson’s roommates, who were home at the time, thought the noises they heard coming from the main floor of the house were out of the ordinary.
“I wasn’t even sure what it was,” said Matt Cunningham, one of Asleson’s roommates.
“I just heard something and didn’t think twice about it,” he said. “I just thought the other guys got home.”
This isn’t the first time these house residents have fallen victim to theft. Other incidents have resulted in missing bicycles and compact discs.
“We’ve lived here for four months and haven’t had such a warm welcome,” Cunningham said.
Both Asleson and Cunningham said police told them the daring nature of the break-in suggested the perpetrators were professionals who may have been in the house or known someone who had.
The police report lists no suspects or witnesses in connection with the theft.

Justin Costley covers police and courts and welcomes comments at [email protected]. He can also be reached at (612)627-4070 x3224